GB764249A - Improvements in or relating to holding apparatus for a vehicle subjected to propelling force - Google Patents

Abstract

764,249. Mooring aircraft and vessels. SOC. NATIONALE DE CONSTRUCTIONS AERONAUTIQUES DU NORD. Jan. 27, 1955 [Oct. 15, 1954], No. 2456/55. Classes 4 and 113. [Also in Group XXV] Apparatus for anchoring a vehicle to a fixed point against a propulsive force less than a given value, comprises an elastically extensible connecting device A, to one end of which is attached an anchoring device B for connection to a bollard or other anchoring point, and to the other end of which are attached tongs C or like openable hooking means for releasably retaining the vehicle, and a locking means D secured to the connecting device A adjacent the anchoring device, and co-operating with the tongs so as to maintain them closed so long as the elongation of the connecting device is below a given value, the locking means being secured to the connecting device detachably, to avoid stretching the connecting device to open the tongs when attaching a vehicle. In Figs. 1 and 6, the extensible connecting device A comprises a plurality of elastic threads passing round bobbins on shafts 5, 6, and enclosed by a sheath 4. The shaft 5 is mounted in a double fork member 7 which also mounts a pin 8 passing through the head of a member 11 adapted to be secured to the ground. The shaft 6 is mounted in a double fork member 14 which also mounts a pin 15 on which are pivoted two tong parts 19, 20 with heels 24, 25. A ring 21 is coupled to the vehicle. Each fork member 7, 14 supports an annular collar 13, 26 adapted to slide in a cylinder 27. In the operative state of Fig. 1, shaft 5 is fixed to the cylinder 27 by a pin 28, so that when the propulsive force on the vehicle reaches a certain value, as in Fig. 6, the faces a, b, of the heels 24, 25 move outwardly, releasing ring 21. The device then contracts, the oblique faces b, c on the heels acting as cam surfaces to close the tongs. To re-insert the ring, the pin 28 is withdrawn, and the cylinder 27 moved until the tongs can open as in Fig. 6, the ring is inserted, and the cylinder moved back and pin 28 replaced, Fig. 4 (not shown). A plurality of pairs of holes may be provided in cylinder 27, so that the pin can be used to lock the shaft 5 in any of a number of positions. Alternatively, cylinder 27 may be in two parts, with co-operating screw threads, so that its effective length may be altered. In Fig. 12 (not shown) the elastic member A comprises a piston and cylinder device containing air.